KEN mode (Post-Hardcore Metal)

Latest news: Fri, Jul 17 2015, KEN MODE

Latest release: "Success"

Release date: Mon, Jun 15 2015, US Tue, Jun 16 2015

KEN mode have announced a massive headlining North American tour under the motto "Huge Success" in support of their current album 'Success'. The Winnipeg power-trio will be regionally joined by CONDUCT, FUCK THE FACTS, CHILD BITE, LIFE IN A VACUUM, WE ARE HEX, and LO PAN as well as featuring the comedy ramblings of Garrett Jamieson. Please see below for a full list of shows.

The "Huge Success" tour is sponsored by Pop Matters, New Noise Magazine, and Exclaim! KEN mode will kick off their road rage in Saskatoon, SK (CA) on September 9th, and continue into November before concluding in their hometown Winnipeg, MB (CA).

The Winnipeg power trio comments on 'Success': "Some of you are going to love this, some of you are going to hate it. This is a time warp for us, back to a simpler time; to when we were 15 and excited to be listening to NIRVANA, COP SHOOT COP, THE VSS, DRIVE LIKE JEHU, and CIRCUS LUPUS - and NOT fitting in with anyone we knew. This is the record we as a band needed to make, and as an artist, it is the most proud I am of any piece of art I have been a part of making, both sonically and visually. People will file these things where they want, so pigeon-hole away."

The artwork of 'Success', which was designed by acclaimed Winnipeg based fine artist Randy Ortizcan can be viewed below along with the tracklist.

'Success' represents a bold move towards sounds that originally inspired the band at the beginning sixteen years ago. The album can be ordered in various formats directly through the Season of Mist shop.

KEN mode recorded 'Success' with legendary engineer Steve Albini (NIRVANA, THE JESUS LIZARD, PJ HARVEY) to capture the material in a fully live and analogue session in the band's hometown in November 2014. This set-up brought to fruition the rawest and most rock and roll sound this band has ever put forth.

KEN mode previously released a video for the first track off 'Success' titled "Blessed", which can be viewed here. "Blessed" was directed by Christopher Mills (TEGAN & SARAH, RUSH, INTERPOL, MODEST MOUSE, etc.), and shot live at Soybomb HQ in Toronto (CA). Subscribe to the Season of Mist Youtube channel here!

Biography

The heartbeat of any modern metropolis, its anger, aggression and urgency echo through "Entrench". With full-length number five, KEN mode honour their noisier roots delving deep into fertile metallic Post-Hardcore severity, while offering their most creative and sonically diverse album yet. KEN mode was formed in 1999 by Canadian Royal Conservatory of Music trained musicians Jesse Matthewson and brother Shane Matthewson who were then joined by Darryl Laxdal on bass. Their band name was based on a quote of Henry Rollins and the acronym stands for "Kill Everyone Now". After releasing several demos during the next four years, their debut album "Mongrel" (2003) created a strong buzz that opened doors for touring and shows with THE END, MASTODON, BURNT BY THE SUN, PELICAN and THE DREAM IS DEAD among others. Follow-up "Reprisal" (2006) confirmed KEN mode as a new powerhouse of their genre. Laxdal parted ways with the band and was first replaced by Drew Johnston (ELECTRO QUARTERSTAFF) and later Jahmeel Russell (HIDE YOUR DAUGHTERS), who recorded third album "Mennonite" (2008) with them. This release saw the band embark on a European tour with Welsh rockers TAINT, for which Chad Tremblay had meanwhile taken over bass duties. KEN mode's next album "Venerable" (2011) was produced by Kurt Ballou of Converge and the trio hit the road again with GAZA, BURIED INSIDE and later A LIFE ONCE LOST among others as well as returning to Europe with then label-mates KYLESA and CIRCLE TAKES THE SQUARE. Critical acclaim had gained a level that witnessed "Venerable" winning the inaugural Heavy Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year Juno Award in Canada and a nomination for Rock Album of the Year by the Western Canadian Music Awards. KEN mode were ready for the next big step in their career and recorded and mixed "Entrench" with Matt Bayles (MASTODON, ISIS, BOTCH). Get ready for a massive punch in your face from KEN mode and "Entrench"!